California Governor Declares March 31 as Farmworkers Day

Newsom honors essential agricultural workers with new annual state holiday

Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:53am

Governor Gavin Newsom of California has issued a proclamation declaring March 31, 2026 as "Farmworkers Day." The proclamation recognizes the critical role that agricultural workers play in the state's economy and food supply, and establishes a new annual holiday to honor their contributions.

Why it matters

Farmworkers are essential to California's massive agricultural industry, which produces over a third of the country's vegetables and two-thirds of the country's fruits and nuts. However, farmworkers often face difficult working conditions and low pay. The new Farmworkers Day holiday is an effort to raise awareness and appreciation for this vital workforce.

The details

The proclamation highlights the hard work and sacrifices made by farmworkers, who labor long hours in the fields to harvest the food that ends up on dining tables across the state and nation. It also calls on all Californians to recognize the invaluable contributions of farmworkers to the state's economy and food security.

  • Governor Newsom issued the proclamation on April 1, 2026.
  • Farmworkers Day will be observed annually on March 31 going forward.

The players

Governor Gavin Newsom

The current Governor of the State of California, who issued the proclamation establishing Farmworkers Day.

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What they’re saying

“Farmworkers are the backbone of California. This state is built on the hard work and sacrifice of those who labor in our fields to put food on the tables of families across America.”

— Governor Gavin Newsom, Governor of California

The takeaway

The establishment of Farmworkers Day is an important recognition of the essential role that agricultural workers play in California's economy and food system. It is a step towards improving working conditions and compensation for this often overlooked but vital workforce.